stand for something // shabby apple

{Shabby Apple -- Che Bella?
from the Roamin Holiday collection

being a woman in this culture is hard.

being a woman of character, a woman who stands for something -- nay, Someone -- greater than herself is pushing the limits of difficult.

exhaustingly so at times.

we fight so many cultural lies that tell us what the measure of beauty is. we have molds in which we must shape and twist ourselves to fit. and oftentimes, we find ourselves wanting and broken from all the attempts to fit, from all the failing.

and there are places that make a difference. that make a change in the culture. that make being a woman of character and being feminine line up and work together.

confident, beautiful women. all shapes, all sizes. all smiles and all curves.

this is why i love Shabby Apple.

their mission statement is simple and straightforward:

We started Shabby Apple because we saw a need in women’s fashion that was not being met. A need to make women feel feminine and beautiful for what they wear, not what they bare. 

We offer flirty, stylish dresses a woman can wear just as comfortably in the office, at a family dinner, or on a date. 

Shabby Apple is a fashion company for women, by women, and of women.

this is why i personally have taken a step forward. 

DramaticElegance is now affiliated with Shabby Apple. 

{Shabby Apple -- Carnival}
from the Carousel collection 

i could not be more inspired, more impressed, or any more delighted with this organization. it's dressing to impress and causing the right kind of scene with your appearance.

 it's about wearing, not baring. 

a corner of the world packed with vintage-styled skirts and dresses for all body types, finding your most flattering fit, and embracing personal style -- including Mama Apple {maternity wear} and Shabby Baby {children's apparel}. there's even a darling Arts & Crafts with rich-toned nail polish, shadowboxes, and more.  

 it's more than just a website to buy adorable vintage-styled clothing and accessories. it's a place to give back and support women and children-targeted charities through each one of your purchases. 

please keep your eyes open for upcoming giveaways on my blog from Shabby Apple. 

being a women can be so hard. 

but doors are opening. boundaries are being pushed. the world is being shown that beauty doesn't mean being a certain size or dressing in a certain style. 

no...

true beauty flows from the soul. 

{i receive a 5% commission for all qualified sales that are generated by DramaticElegance from links and buttons/banners placed on my site.

all opinions regarding the company and their products found on this blog are my own.}

Driver

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.  ~Lin Yutang

I really do love driving.

Yes, I do prefer other methods of transportation far more than being driven anywhere.

But when I am the one behind the wheel

for whatever reason

it's different. 

i don't think i know why.

Today, I spent eight hours in the car. 

For three of those seemingly endless moments, I was the passenger. The blissful remainder, I was the driver. 

It was cruelly hot. The sun was ridiculously bright, and even my overhead shields did nothing to ward off its pounding rays against my arms and cheeks. 

My car radio has a weird quirk, in that I cannot play a song too loud or else it crackles horribly. 

But honestly, I didn't care. Not even a little.

The windows were down, and the music was as loud as my stereo's odd personality would allow. 

oh, the freedom.

a car is one thing. but my life...

that's another thing completely. 

It's a relief, I think, to not have to drive my life. 

when i'm the one behind the wheel of this vintage-styled

 rachel lee 1990

i tend to wreck it more than i should. 

What a relief to know that the wheel is in His hands

and I am asleep in the passenger seat. 

The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. ~Proverbs 16:9